lostcarnival | ⇨ THE LUNAR SOLSTICE

Entry tags:

⇨ THE LUNAR SOLSTICE

Who: Everyone!
When: Winter Breaks: Day 6 - Day 25
Where: THE MOON
What: The carnival journeys to one of its moons to celebrate the Lunar Solstice. More information here.
Warnings: Winter fun.

MOON WALKING↴

The journey to the moon only takes a blink of an eye, but it leaves the carnival far away beneath you. The second moon can be seen on the peripheral, massive compared to its usual view. At least when the holidays start out, there will be no notable wildlife on the moon, though this is something you can talk to the Ringmaster about if you think it needs a change. It sounds like this is the first time she's used it in quite a while - it probably needs some dusting off!

Claim your cabins, and proceed to... well, do whatever you want! There is no rush and little obligation, besides to enjoy yourself. For real, this time. She promises there will be no vampires. Or, at least, none that don't already work for the carnival.

► CABINS: Living arrangements are character choice for this event, and there are a variety of cabins of various sizes, mostly built to house 2-6 people, though you can fit more in if you squish. They are all made of wood and of a rustic design - no fancy modern furniture, here! Each building is housed with a fireplace and the needed amenities. You can pick up materials to cook with the private kitchens if you like. Theoretically, you could spend the whole holiday sequestered away, watching the snow fall. Some of them also have outdoor hot tubs available!

► ACTIVITIES: Activities are mostly going to be character driven, though there will be some large group games like bingo and maybe a poker tournament happening at some point in one of the festival halls. Otherwise, there is a lot to offer: skiing, snowboarding, hiking, ice sculpting, snowball fights - it goes on! If you'd like to run a winter activity, just let the mods know, and we will get the word out there for you.

► FEASTING: Every day isn't a full-out feast because that would get a bit unhealthy, but there will be a number of specific feast events over the holidays where everyone is encouraged to let out their inner hedonist and stuff themselves. There will be one big feast per week, with smaller but also delicious meals offered in between. The feast dates will be B12, B18, and B24. There's also plenty of alcohol available for anyone who wants it.

► SHOPPING: As mentioned in the planning post, there is a massive market being run by the World Walker Caravan! The Ringmaster has given everyone 1250 credits to spend on items, but there is a caveat - must spend at least 500 of those credits on gifts for other people. And it better be a good one, if you only buy one! (She will ask that you do not buy her presents, however. She appreciates the sentiment, but it seems sort of silly buying her things with her own money! If you'd like to gift her, please have it be something more personal or handmade, but you are not obligated to get her anything at all.)

► TREATMENTS: The beginning of the holidays will also be about the time that the emergency Medical Team will have finalized their treatments for the Prince's poisoning. Watch out for further information on that - and make sure to get treated if you are suffering from petrification or poison induced illness! The holidays will be a lot more fun that way.

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As Baker pulls ahead, Strange follows, moving back towards Childermass. At the words 'apology accepted' relief floods over Strange's face...before he realizes what words came before 'apology accepted.'

Wait. Hold on a moment.

"No it certainly is not all," Strange responds, gaping a bit at Childermass. Oh now he's definitely not going to leave Childermass alone and jogs through the snow a bit to try and fully catch up with the other man. "What do you mean I'm an absolute idiot when it comes to people?!"

This is brand new information to Strange. He thought he got along with other people just fine! Well, except for Lazuli. And Sans. And occasionally Lauren. But that's only three out of many, that's not half bad!

If he wants to hear how terrible at people he is, he'll have to keep up with Childermass and Baker. They're steadily walking out of town and the snow is only going to get deeper from here on. To Strange's startled demand, though, he shrugs.

Because, of course, he shrugs, this is such a shruggy moment. How is he even supposed to explain it? If they'd been back in England, he never would have mentioned such a thing, since it honestly only mattered to him if it put them in danger or not, but here, danger is kind of always.

"You spend an inordinate amount of time talking just to hear yourself be clever," he points out. "Surely you didn't do that on the Peninsula. I can't imagine you surviving out there for long if you had."

Strange trudges after Childermass and Baker. The snow slows him down more than it does the other two, especially since Strange isn't a six foot tall fire dog, but he's making a valiant effort at keeping up, grumbling all the while.

"At the Peninsula, we were at war. Here—" Well, here it was different. Ostensibly, they weren't at war. But in reality, just how many fae did the carnival have chasing after them at any time? Add in the debacle with the Prince, their brief trip to hell, and for all of Strange's protests, the carnival's been at war more often than not.

"Here, at least, we aren't continually at war," he finishes with a frown.

But war wasn't his point, even if he's not wrong there. The Ringmaster has an ever-growing list of enemies, it would seem... Still, Childermass shrugs and looks back at Strange as he, too, trudges onward through the snow. He puts a hand on Baker to keep himself steady as he's not looking where he's walking right now.

"So if you ran into a soldier you had served with who wasn't some lofty rank or another outside of war, how would you speak to him?"

Strange is about to say something before he realizes the obvious. Right. Nobody really knows what happened in the peninsula, not unless they were there. Oh, he's certain Childermass had heard of the magic he did (as well as a few of the rumors of the less than respectable black magic he did) but did the man know about the smaller details? Strange sitting around a campfire, reading letters for the less literate, Wellington demanding him to do the impossible, hurt feet and empty stomach and things like that.

"I know you'll claim that I'm misunderstanding the question," Strange starts, deliberately putting his hands in his pockets as he continues trudging through the snow, "but the peninsula was different. As I said, we were at war. There wasn't any time for judging or chit-chat, one simply did what was needed and carried on. Outside of war, I suppose I'd speak to a soldier as someone who experienced the same things I did." Not an equal, per se. But a like mind.

"Of course, it would all depend whether I ran into him at the carnival or in England." There's that pesky little thing called 'classism' and 'Strange being kind of posh' and, most importantly of them all, 'Strange having thrown away his reputation to go be crazy and hang out in Venice.' He's not entirely sure which of those would put an acquaintance off conversation first.

Well, Childermass is at least assuming, in this hypothetical case, that the soldier would actually speak with Strange in one fashion or another. Not, you know, run away at the sight of a dangerous and mad magician. Would that be how it would go down in truth? He doesn't know and he knows that Strange doesn't, either.

They won't know until they figure out how to bring Hurtfew back, in any case...

But it doesn't stop him raising his eyebrows at the answer.

"Someone who experienced the same things that you did. I see. And if he approached you for help, Mr. Strange, would you?"

"I'd help him as best I could," Strange answers, without hesitation, though giving Childermass an odd little frown. "After all, we did serve together."

He doesn't really see what Childermass is trying to get at with this line of questioning. Sorry Childermass, Strange is dense. Undoubtedly (at least, undoubtedly in Strange's mind) it has something to do with him accidentally commanding Childermass for an answer or the larger problem of Strange's grumpy fight with Lapis. But what exactly is he trying to say overall?

"And if he were beggared and approached you while you were out with friends at the time?"

Same question, different scenario. Childermass doesn't actually consider Strange a 'bad' guy, not in the least, but there are some things about society that are difficult to shake, even with a massive bout of madness. Then again, he also can't claim to know Strange extremely well. It could be, yes, he would help the man regardless, even if it caused offense.

That's the thing about that answer: he's not sure. Strange knows the answer he'd like to say: of course he would. But at the same time, if he was out with Norrell, Pole, or anyone else he associated with who wasn't in the army, he honestly has no idea what he'd do.

He'd certainly help the poor chap if Arabella was with him, though. She'd appreciate it. She'd probably think it noble of him, after all.

So, since he's not sure, Strange decides the best thing to do is not answer the question to begin with. "If you're trying to make a point about something, say it. What does charity have to do with the fact that I'm, in your words, 'an idiot when it comes to people?'"

"That you think yourself better than other people," Childermass will answer, just fine with getting to the point without offering up any other scenarios like that. "Even if you may not mean to. Who you were in Portland only took that to a level of cruelty that you do not normally possess."

Huh. Sans feels that Strange thinks he's better than others, Childermass feels that Strange thinks he's better than others, Lambert outright said that bragging about his magic makes other people think he's a dick, Strange has just become acutely aware of one of his personal flaws and he really doesn't like this.

He jams his hands further in his pocket, but this is straight up sulkiness.

"You are right about one thing. I do not mean to think that way." But it happens and people just keep calling him out on it and it's annoying as shit. "I shall simply have to try my hardest to be more humble. Perhaps then you'll find a new personality flaw to latch onto and criticize me about."

This isn't going to work in the slightest.

"Oh, no, I'm sure I'll continue finding the exact same one to criticize instead," Childermass replies, straight to the point with a verbal knife. Like he said before, he doubts the man will ever truly stop. "But know that I'll be quick to remind you how I am no one's servant anymore."

He's a magician. Sure, technically one could argue he's the Ringmaster's servant, but this isn't exactly the typical faerie-changeling arrangement. In any case, it's probably pointless to harp on about it as they forge on further out onto the snowy moonscape.

"I do mean it about accepting your apology, however, so you've nothing to fear there. Now, if you're going to tag along, you may want to consider catching a ride from Baker."

The problem here is that Strange didn't know Childermass even had plans to begin with. He only came up to visit the man because he could catch him alone and without any company.

"Where are you going in the first place?" In the morning. Without anyone to see them. With a dog.

Though wait, what did he mean catch a ride from Baker? Surely Childermass wasn't suggesting he ride on that thing.

"I want to see if I can get to the other side of the moon," Childermass answers very matter-of-factly like that isn't such an absurd notion. After are, they are already on the realm's moon.

Well okay. That's...not the answer he was expecting. Strange just frowns at Childermass for a moment a bit confused.

"Is there something there?"

Or is this traveling for traveling's sake? Was Childermass the type who liked to travel? Hell if Strange knew.

He does, actually. It always made working for Mr. Norrell tolerable, being sent all over England to collect books or harass people claiming to magicians and such. Well, slightly less so the harassment part, but you know.

"No idea, but the view alone might be worth it."

Alright, that's a valid point. Strange pauses, thinks, then gives Childermass a little shrug. Why not!

"If you don't mind the company, then I'd be happy to join you." Strange has a feeling Childermass wouldn't mind the company: after all, he could easily have been cagey or vague about where he was going and left Strange at the cabins. But having just been called an idiot when it comes to people, Strange isn't going to take any chances.

He'll probably pass out on the back of Baker in the first place. Again, Childermass got up early, Strange straight up didn't go to bed.

Take it or leave it, Childermass wouldn't have minded either way, but that Strange accepts even after being called out earns a slight smile from the man. He'll prod Baker, murmuring a word to get the great dog's attention, to have him stop. He talks quietly to him a little longer, whether it's actually telling him his new plan or just idle words to match the scratching he gives him behind one ear is unclear, but afterward, Baker basically flops down to lay in the snow, tail wagging gently.

"Alright," he says, turning back to Strange and giving Baker one last pat on the neck, "Hop on. It's enough like riding a horse, though you'll want to hang onto the parts of his mane at the sides of his neck, down near his shoulders, and tightly. He is much faster than you may expect."

Strange gives Childermass an expression that's pure 'you've got to be kidding me.' Because he can't be serious! He literally meant that he should ride the dog? That's...well, it's absurd. It's riding a dog.

Still, it's better than walking. And the dog is about the size of a horse. He can't remember the last time he rode a horse bareback (as this dog has no saddle) but maybe riding a dog would be the same. It shouldn't be too hard, right? Hopefully? So, very awkwardly, Strange gets on Baker's back, grabbing the fur on the side of his neck—though he does give Baker a little pat on his head as he does so.

"There we go. Good boy."

This is either going to be hilarious or-- well, it's probably just going to be hilarious.

"Baker," Childermass says, attention shifting back to the dog once Strange has settled. "Ready? Go."

And that's a command, the last one he'll be giving verbally because the second Baker lurches straight into a run, the other magician's form flickers into that of a bird to fly alongside the racing arcanine. Not for long, though. When he had said Baker was fast, he had meant it, soon beginning to outpace even a flying bird, to the point where the crow is forced to land and hang onto Strange's shoulder rather than try to keep up on his own.

Oh my God this is awful, that dog is running too fast, what the hell why doesn't this dog have a saddle or a bridle or anything like that?! Strange is just holding on for dear life as Baker races across the moon. When Childermass lands on his shoulder, he's halfway tempted to just curse the damn bird out—but that would mean opening his mouth and oh good shit, Baker's jumping over something now?! Why can't Childermass have gotten a horse! Horses make sense! They're designed for riding!

Strange manages to hold on for most of the trip, though he's obviously uncomfortable throughout the journey. But it's as Baker clears a particularly large snowbank that Strange loses his grip on the dog's fur and he straight up falls off, unseating Childermass as well. It only takes a split second for Strange to scrunch up his eyes into concentration and turn into his purple smoke, moments before he hits the ground. Yes, he is falling into snow, but it would be just Strange's luck to manage to break a wrist on a snowbank.

It's good to have wings, isn't it? For Childermass, anyway. Obviously not Strange. So when Strange goes falling off, the crow on his shoulder takes off with a startled caw, wings flapping wildly to stay aloft and land on Baker's head instead. There, all it takes is one beaky nip at the dog's ear to get his attention, which inevitably gets him to turn back around and go charging back to where Strange fell.

It's snow, which means he's not terribly worried about the man, but it's not like they're about to abandon them. He takes off again once Baker is turned back and heading over towards where Strange fell. That's where Childermass is heading as well, flying back to see what's become of Mr. Mass of Smoke Strange back there.

Strange is still remaining a mass of smoke, very pointedly not turning back just yet, even if the bird beats the dog back to him. It's only when Baker and Childermass return and Baker stops kicking snow up as he romps through the untouched snow that Strange pulls himself together and turns back human, standing in a spot of snow that's been trampled down by Baker's feet.

"Can't you get him a saddle or something?" Strange complains to Childermass before turning back to Baker. "Baker, down."

He's no idea if that's the words Childermass uses to get the dog to lay down and the tentative tone in Strange's voice tells Childermass that much.

Baker... does not lay down. No one should be surprised by this. Rather than do anything useful, the big dog keeps walking through the snow, right up to Strange, shoves his nose right up in the man's face, and applies a massive, slobbery tongue to his no-longer-smoky face. Apparently, someone else trying to command him just equals 'go over and lick that person's face a lot'.

Enjoy.

Childermass, still a crow, lands on a nearby hill of snow and, rather than doing anything at all to help, cackles. It's cawing, sure, but it has the intent of laughter behind it. Not much of an answer to Strange's question, no, though he would think a 'yes, he does need a saddle' would be a given.

Strange takes the dog kisses like a champ. As soon as he sees that nose somewhere in his vicinity, he scrunches his eyes shut and purses his lips together like he just swallowed a lemon. That doesn't entirely mitigate the big slobbery dog kiss (the ears, Baker? Really?) but at least there's not dog drool in his mouth now.

Once Baker's tongue is nowhere near him, Strange opens his eyes and gives the dog a little scratch behind the ears. "You weren't any help," he teases, looking over in the bird's direction, as he continues to scratch Baker behind the ears. "Though he does need to lie down again if we're to keep on moving."

There is no way in hell Strange would be able to climb up on top of Baker unless the dog laid down or bent down. Sure, Strange could try to scramble up on top of Baker himself but he's got a feeling that'll end up with him kicking the dog in the head or pulling on his fur or something that would result in Strange getting nipped at instead of Baker.

⇨ THE LUNAR SOLSTICE

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